A Boston College sports blog capturing the highs and lows of being a BC fan living 1,000 miles from Chestnut Hill.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Post press conference Signing Day thoughts

Looking at a recruiting class on paper is one thing. Hearing Addazio talk about how he built the group and his thoughts and expectations for players is much more enlightening. The coached addressed the media this afternoon. Here on my thoughts on his thoughts...

1. Build a Wall. That's every coaches' mantra and Addazio appears to be doing it. It is a smart move, supported by most recruiting data. Regardless of facilities, TV, and even education, geography remains the biggest factor in recruiting. A five hour radius tends to be every program's baseline. BC's radius means we need to get the best players out of New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. So far, so good.

2. Playing true freshmen. I want Addazio to redshirt players. He clearly wants to play them right away. Regardless of whether or not we are sacrificing long-term stability, seeing new players on the field next year should be exciting. It also becomes a good selling point to future recruits.

3. QBs. We new about Wade's promise and Murphy's experience. But we had not heard Addazio talk about Troy Flutie until today. Based on the comments, Flutie will get a chance to play.

4. Where is Ohio? For many years the Buckeye State served as the backbone of our recruiting. This year we signed one player from Ohio. Considering we brought in 30 recruits, that is a huge drop off. Maybe Addazio doesn't want to spread his staff too thin. Maybe he just didn't like many Ohio kids this year. Or maybe he didn't want to go head to head with his friend at Ohio State. If we are not a factor in Ohio next year, you will know there has been a purposeful change.

5. Staying big. For the first time Addazio mentioned the future style of play. He admitted that there will be more spread elements this upcoming season but said BC will still impose a bruising style with a run focus.

8 Comments:

I'm glad Flutie will get a shot. His uncle was #4 on the depth chart when he came in but Bicknell gave him a shot and the rest is history. Similar story in Seatle w/ Wilson, who reminds me allot of Doug. I think Daz has a good feel for New England football so that's why he wants to play the way he does. If he keeps getting results we can't knock him. We should know allot after this coming season.

I agree w/your Ohio comment, particulalry the absence of kids from STX, STI and Elder. No need to panic if BC is finding similar talent closer to home, but I bellieve that you don't forsake one of the best areas of recruiting for BC.

the Wall is important, but we need to keep the OHIO connection alive. far too talented of a region to turn a blind eye to. that said, i believe we have an offer out to a St. X linebacker for 2015. hopefully it was just a one-year thing.

Atlanta seems to be getting a lot of attention from Al Washington, and we have recruited Florida very well as well. how do the regions break down? what coaches are responsible for which territories?

We did lose most of the staff that had the Ohio connections, so it isn't all too big of a surprise that we dropped off there this year. I'm sure the HS coaches out there still appreciate their relationship with BC as a school, and I doubt Daz would neglect those established pipelines given how much of a recruiter he is supposed to be. You're right though Bill, time will tell.

My favorite part of the presser was Daz saying they will spread the offense more and make it more balanced. I was critical of Day from Day one about not being any sort of balanced in his play calling or spreading the defense. Let's hope this wasn't just lip service, because whether it is a true freshman QB or a transfer, we are not going to be in a good position this year if all we do is run, and we're not going to be in a good position in the future if the new QB is only experienced in being one dimensional (handing the ball off).

As long as the staff remains mindful there are only a handful of Div. 1 propsects in MA, I'm OK...Flutie?...wish him ONLY the best...could be another Russell Wilson, who knows?....Chances he even remotely tracks his uncle?...slim, at best...With the Flutie name, why he didn't get 10+ Div. 1 offers?